ANOTHER RASCALLY ATTEMPT
"What next?" asked Roy of Mortimer De Royster, as they emerged from the
lawyer's office.
"Well, as it's getting near dinner time, suppose we go back to the
hotel."
"That's a good idea. Will you stay and have grub with me--I mean
lunch. I must get used to calling it that while I'm in New York."
"Yes, thank you. I've got a good appetite since that tussel with
Wakely."
"You had nerve to tackle him."
"I thought he was going to cut the rope and let you drop."
"If he had, that would have been the end of me. I'd have 'passed in my
chips,' as the card players say."
"Those card players! I'd like to meet them. I'd get even with them
for stealing my watch and diamond!"
"Maybe you'll have a chance, when we round up Annister."
"If we ever do. But I imagine he's too slick a criminal to be caught."
"We'll see," said Roy.
"What would you like to do this afternoon?" asked De Royster, when the
meal was finished. "I can show you some sights if you'd like to see
them."
"I sure would. I haven't had much time so far. There wasn't a great
deal to see in that tenement."
"Then we'll go up to Bronx Park. We can make a quick trip in the
subway."
"That's the place I thought was a tunnel, and I was wondering when we
would come to the end," and Roy laughed at the memory of his natural
mistake.
The two friends had a good time in the Park, looking at the animals.
The herd of buffalo interested Roy very much, as did the elephants,
tigers, and other beasts from tropical countries, for he had never seen
any before, since no circuses ever came to Painted Stone, nor anywhere
in that vicinity.
"You haven't got any of these out West; have you?" asked Mortimer De
Royster, with a New Yorker's usual pride in the big Zoo.
"No, and we don't want 'em."
"Why not?"
"They'd stampede the cattle in seven counties. What would a drove of
steers or a band of horses do if they saw one of them elephants coming
at 'em, so's they couldn't tell which end was the tail? Or one of them
long-necked giraffes? Why, those giraffes would starve out our way.
There's no trees tall enough for 'em to eat their breakfast from."
They went into the reptile house, and the snakes fascinated Roy. He
paused before a glass box of rattlers.
"There's something we've got out West," he said, "and we'd give a good
deal not to have 'em. We lose lots of cattle from snake-bites--those
ugly rattlers! I don't like to look at 'em! I nearly stepped on one
once, and he stuck his fangs in my boot."
"What did you do?"
"Stepped on it and killed it. Come on; let's look at something more
pleasant."
They spent the rest of the day in the Park, and returned to the hotel
that evening.
For about a week nothing occurred. Mortimer De Royster took Roy for
occasional pleasure trips, including one jaunt to Coney Island, where
the boy from the ranch had his first glimpse of the ocean. The big
waves, and the immense expanse of water, astonished him more than
anything he had seen in New York.
"I never knew there was so much water in the world," he said. "This
would be fine out our way in time of drouth, when all the pastures dry
up."
"I'm afraid it would be worse than none at all," said Mr. De Royster.
"It's salt, and it would kill the grass."
"That's so. I didn't think about that."
They went in bathing, and took in many amusements at the pleasure
resort. It was quite late when they got back to the hotel, and De
Royster did not go all the way with Roy, turning off to go to his own
boarding house, which was about a mile from where Roy was stopping.
"I'll see you to-morrow," called the jewelry salesman, as the two
parted. "I guess the lawyer will have some word for us then."
"There's a note for you," said the hotel clerk to Roy as the boy
entered, and he handed over a sealed envelope. In the upper left hand
corner was the printed name and address of the lawyer to whom De
Royster had taken him.
"Mr. Felix Ketchum must have some news for me," thought Roy, as he
opened the note. It was a written request for him to call at a certain
address that night, where he would receive some information that would
be of service to him, and the communication was signed with Mr.
Ketchum's name. A postscript stated that the lawyer would be there.
"That's queer," thought the boy. "I wonder why he didn't have me call
at his office? But perhaps he has to work secretly against Annister.
I guess that's it."
"When did this note come?" he asked the clerk.
"Right after dinner."
"Dinner?"
"I mean the evening dinner--I suppose you call it supper out West," and
the clerk smiled.
"That's what we do. Who brought this?"
"A boy. He said there was no answer. Hope it isn't bad news."
"No; only a business matter. Can you tell me where the Bowery is?"
"The Bowery. You're not going there; are you?"
"Yes, I have an appointment to meet a man there," and Roy mentioned the
number.
"You want to be careful," cautioned the clerk. "It's not the best
place in the world after dark. Don't take much money with you, for you
might be robbed."
"Aren't there policemen there?"
"Yes, but they can't be all over. That address is not far from the
Chinese district, and it's a hanging-out place for thieves and
criminals."
"Funny that Mr. Ketchum should want me to go there," thought Roy, "but
perhaps he has to get evidence against Mr. Annister from a man who
doesn't care to be seen during the day. I guess I'll chance it. There
can't be much danger in the midst of a big city, with policemen around.
Besides I'll be on my guard. I wish I could tell Mr. De Royster. But,
no, I'll not bother him. He'll think I'm a regular baby, not able to
take care of myself."
This thought decided Roy to go alone. He suspected nothing, but, had
he known more about New York, he would have considered twice before
venturing into one of the worst parts of that great city.
The clerk once more cautioned the boy, gave him directions how to get
to the address on the Bowery, and in due time Roy arrived there. Part
of the street was brilliantly lighted, but the building where he was
directed to call, was in a dark location, and did not look very
inviting.
"I wonder if this is it?" thought Roy. "Guess I'll ask."
He saw a door opening into a dim hallway. A man was standing there.
"Is Mr. Ketchum in this building?" asked Roy, for the note had
instructed him to ask for the lawyer.
"Yes, come on in," said the man gruffly.
Roy advanced. The door shut after him with a click, and he was left in
almost total darkness. At the same time he felt some one grab him.
"Have you got him?" cried a voice. "Don't hurt him, but hold him
tight."
Roy recognized the voice as that of Caleb Annister!
As he felt arms closing around him he kicked out vigorously. There was
a howl of pain, but Roy was not released. He knew that once more he
was in the hands of Annister's accomplices.